Please note that our reviews are based on a variety of sources: samples sent to our team, those we purchase in store, tasting events, those tasted in restaurants and while traveling domestically and internationally.
White Wine
Tornatore Pietrarizzo 2023, Sicily D.O.C., Italy: Tornatore Pietrarizzo Etna Bianco from Sicily is a rounded, medium to full-bodied white offering aromas of ripe yellow apple, dried white flowers, and hints of volcanic ash. It's dry with vibrant acidity and a saline character. Serve it well chilled with swordfish steaks as the wine's mineral depth and bright citrus will enhance the meaty fish beautifully, or pair it with grilled octopus where the wine's crisp finish and salty edge will complement the charred, tender seafood perfectly. Francesco Tornatore, an engineer who received the prestigious Cavaliere del Lavoro honor from the Italian government before returning to his ancestral home to revive the family's 1865 winemaking legacy, launched his eponymous label in 2012 after building a state-of-the-art facility in Castiglione di Sicilia. This wine is crafted from 97% Carricante with 3% Catarratto grown at 650 meters elevation on the northern slopes of Mount Etna in the renowned Pietrarizzo contrada, where ancient volcanic soils of lava, ash, and pumice impart distinctive minerality, and ferments in 50-hectoliter oak barrels before aging on fine lees for five months. Enjoy from 2025 or cellar for 5-10 years. Food pairings: swordfish steaks, grilled octopus, steamed mussels with herbs. Drink: 2025 - 2035 632489 13% XD 750 mL $37.95 Score: 91/100. March 2026. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Red Wine
Ktima Papaioannou Old Vines Single Vineyard Agiorgitiko 2015, Peloponnese P.D.O., Greece: Ktima Papaioannou Old Vines Single Vineyard Agiorgitiko from Peloponnese is a savory, medium-bodied red offering aromas of ripe wild strawberry, dried herb, and hints of sweet oak. It's dry with smooth tannins and balanced acidity. Serve it at room temperature with moussaka as the wine's herbal character and concentrated fruit will enhance the dish's rich, layered flavors beautifully, or pair it with roasted duck breast where the wine's depth and persistent finish will complement the crispy skin and tender meat perfectly. George Papaioannou, the fourth generation to lead this family estate and son of Thanasis (a pivotal figure in modern Greek winemaking), continues his father's visionary work crafting wines from organically farmed vineyards that honor the native Agiorgitiko grape. Founded in 1876 near the ancient wine region of Nemea, Ktima Papaioannou farms 57 hectares organically and produces this wine from 40-year-old vines, aging it for 12 months in French oak barrels followed by an additional year in bottle. Enjoy now. Food pairings: moussaka, roasted duck breast, braised beef with aromatic spices. Drink: 2026 - 2026 30615 14% XD 750 mL $42.95 Score: 91/100. March 2026. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart